DOMENICO PIOLA
(Genoa, 1627 – 1703)
Three Angels
Oil on canvas
10 ⅞ x 14 inches (27.6 x 35.6 cm)
Provenance:
Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996
Private Collection, USA
One of the leading artists in Genoa during the second half of the seventeenth century, Domenico Piola came from a successful family of artists, renowned for their many illusionistic ceiling programs throughout Genoese churches and palaces. A prolific draughtsman and painter, Domenico oversaw an extremely productive studio. In addition to his collaborations with numerous other artists, Domenico also provided many designs for book illustrations and prints that circulated throughout Europe, earning him international exposure and high acclaim in his own day.
As Dr. Anna Orlando has indicated (written communication), the present work is an early work by Piola, datable from the late 1640s. At this time the young artist came strongly under the influence of Castiglione and Valerio Castello, while admiring the works of Giulio Cesare Procaccini. Piola’s works from this period are exuberant and fluid, and the artist’s love of portraying children is evident from the angels and putti that populate both his altarpieces and more intimate paintings.
The present work depicts three angels or putti, one hugging another, who holds an apple in his hand and whose hair is tied in a soft-blue bow. It is a charming work, as each of the children seems content, even joyous. A similar characterization of the figures is to be found in other paintings by Piola of this date—such as the heads illustrated below (Figs. 1-4).
Fig. 1. Detail of Domenico Piola, Madonna and Child with Saint Theresa, oil on canvas, Genoa, San Quirico.
Fig. 3. Detail of Domenico Piola, San Gregory the Great, oil on canvas, Voltaggio.
Fig. 2. Detail of Domenico Piola, Music-Making Angels, oil on canvas, Private Collection.
Fig. 4. Detail of Domenico Piola, Miracle of Soriano, oil on canvas, Private Collection.